‘Game of Thrones’ star Maisie Williams gave an inspiring speech on gender equality and female empowerfument at the launch of the #LikeAGirl campaign, and she is speaking out in interviews, sharing a positive, upbeat message on self-confidence and self-acceptance for teen girls.

The 18-year-old actress rose to fame as a the fierce and fearless assassin Arya Stark in the HBO hit series ‘Game of Thrones.’ With her role in the series as a fighter and her rising visibility she’s the perfect choice to front the returning Always #LikeAGirl campaign which was a rousing success upon its debut last year. Its focus is on young girls. A study the company commissioned reveals that more than half of girls experience a drop in self-confidence when they reach puberty.

Maisie Williams gave a powerful speech at the launch of the campaign in New York City. We’ll add the video when available, but for now, according to The Independent, she told the audience, “It’s time for girls to be free; free to nurture and celebrate whatever qualities and talents make them different. It’s the most liberating time moving into adulthood. But that transition should not happen with labels and expectations, but with an open heart and mind.”

She went on to say, “Confidence gives us what we need in life. So build yours, protect yours, fight for yours, grab it with both hands and hold it like the course of your future depends on it. Because it does.”

Yes, indeed! Powerful words. We can’t hear them enough. And we can’t stop putting our whole hearts into living those words.

But Williams had yet more to say, “The world is desperate for leaders, male and female. It’s not about gender, it’s about purpose. You have a responsibility, an opportunity to share your gifts with the world.” See more transcript excerpts here.

After the event, Today Show caught up with her and interviewed her on these important subjects of self-confidence and equality. She spoke out about what it’s like coping with social media trolls and cyberbullying, and admitted it’s difficult not to read what’s out there. She said, “As much as people say don’t read it, it’s impossible. “It’s like saying there’s a red button, don’t push it.

She went on to say, “I’m sure you can think back to a time where you’ve cringed at things you’ve said, and you regret things you’ve done, and the difference for me is that it’s documented and it’s never going to go away.”

She continued, speaking of the plight of women who become public figures, “I feel like the biggest thing that we struggle with is getting our point across without someone commenting on what we’re wearing first.”

Yes. so true, sadly, so true. It goes to show why it’s so important that we have this social media campaign. The latest video in the series, which you can see below, is entitled “Unstoppable.”

And, too, let’s hope that Maisie Williams’ #LikeAGirl speech makes its way online. We’ll post it as soon as it does!

Pictures: PR Photos

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